Sermons on The Departure Comes First:

Ignorance Is Bliss -- Not!

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jun 14, 2009

First Baptist Church of Gaithersburg, MD: We avoid too much information because we know we will have to respond. Some escape into private piety; some escape from knowing themselves. But true bliss comes from knowing how to invest in Kingdom concerns.

You can buy it anywhere in Pennsylvania Dutch country – a banner, an apron, a towel, anything really – and it proclaims, in pidgin German, “Ve get too soon oldt und too late schmart”. Your preacher this morning is a walking example of that ancient truth. Too soon oldt und too late schmart. The ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 92:1-15

Denomination: Baptist

Destroying Your Enemy

Contributed by Ajai Prakash on Nov 8, 2012

Obeying Jesus’ command to love our enemies doesn’t come naturally, however. Often our first response is to retaliate. The best way - the Christ-like way - to destroy an enemy is to make him your friend! To melt an enemy, try the warmth of love.

Opening illustration: There is a story told of two shopkeepers. Their stores were across the street from each other, and the two had a bitter rivalry. One day an angel came to one of the shopkeepers and said, “The Lord has sent me to tell you that you may have one wish. Whatever you ask for, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:43-48

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Sheltered In Prayer; Released In Power

Contributed by Marty Baker on Jun 1, 2020

When you think about it, this is not the first time that the church was told to shelter in place. In the days following the resurrection of Jesus Christ, he gathered his disciples together and prepared them for what was coming. Then, Jesus said, “I want you to shelter in place in Jerusalem.”

Pentecost Sunday 2020 Sheltered in Prayer, Released in Power Dr. Marty Baker / May 31, 2020 Hello and welcome to Stevens Creek Church. I can’t tell you how much I have been waiting to say those words. I am so glad that you are here and isn’t this place beautiful? It has been ten weeks since ...read more

Denomination: Church Of God

Facing Your Past With God Series

Contributed by Brian Williams on Mar 18, 2025

How often does God have to wrestle with us, through His word and His Spirit to bring something to our attention? He’ll wrestle with us until we come to the end of ourselves, until we see the issue for what it is, until He is first

Facing your past with God Genesis 32:1-28 16 March 2025 Last time in our Dust to Life series, we saw how God called Jacob to leave Haran and how Jacob made his peace with his father-in-law Laban. We are in chapter 32 today where Jacob now comes face-to-face with God. Before this happens, however, ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 32:1-28

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Go! And Be Refreshed: Stuck, Stagnant Or Spiritually Dry? Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Jul 1, 2025

Have you experienced dryness in your soul — like you’re in a spiritual desert with no refreshment?

Go! And Be Refreshed: Stuck, Stagnant or Spiritually Dry? Introduction: Are You Stuck, Stagnant or Spiritually Dry? It is a joy and privilege to bring God’s Word to you today. Let me begin by asking you something very personal: Have you ever felt spiritually stuck? Ever felt like you’re ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 44:3, John 7:37-39, Exodus 14:15, Revelation 3:15-16, Psalm 63:1, Jeremiah 17:8, Romans 5:8, 1 Corinthians 15:3-4, Ephesians 5:18  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

Go! And Behold The Beginning: The Creator And The Word Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Aug 23, 2025

The very first words of the Bible, and the very first words of the Gospel of John. Two beginnings—one at creation, one before creation—and both point us to Jesus.

Go! And Behold the Beginning: The Creator and the Word Introduction: Why the Beginning Matters How we begin shapes everything that follows. Think about it—if you start a journey in the wrong direction, every step, no matter how fast or determined, only takes you further from where you’re meant to ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 1:1, John 1:1, John 1:4, John 1:14, Colossians 1:16, Hebrews 13:8, John 8:12, 2 Corinthians 5:17, Romans 10:9, Hebrews 9:27, Philippians 1:6  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

A Remarkable Ministry Series

Contributed by Terry Blankenship on Feb 8, 2011

What is the best day you have ever experienced? The day of your wedding or the birth of your first born? It ought to be the day you first met Jesus! It was with the paralytic!

And again He entered Capernaum after some days, and it was heard that He was in the house. Immediately many gathered together, so that there was no longer room to receive them, not even near the door. And He preached (ëáëÝù-imp aor) the word to them. Then they came to Him, bringing a paralytic ...read more

Scripture: Mark 2:1-12

Denomination: Baptist

Better A Millstone I

Contributed by Dan Cormie on Apr 26, 2009

Things that cause people to sin are bound to come, but woe to that person through whom they come.

Dakota Community Church April 26, 2009 Better a Millstone Luke 17:1-10 Jesus said to his disciples: "Things that cause people to sin are bound to come, but woe to that person through whom they come. It would be better for him to be thrown into the sea with a millstone tied around his neck than ...read more

Scripture: Luke 17:1-10

Denomination: Mennonite

Why Must A Person Be Born Again? Series

Contributed by Joel Bernardino on Oct 16, 2025

Every person in this world has experienced the first birth — our physical birth. But according to the Bible, that first birth isn’t enough for us to enter the kingdom of God.

WHY MUST A PERSON BE BORN AGAIN? Pastor Joel Bernardino – October 16, 2025 Every person in this world has experienced the first birth — our physical birth. But according to the Bible, that first birth isn’t enough for us to enter the kingdom of God. Because through our first birth — being ...read more

Scripture: John 3:3, 2 Corinthians 5:17

Such People Do Not Hold Fast To Christ As The Head, And From Whom True Divine Nourishment Comes Series

Contributed by John Lowe on May 9, 2019

In this verse, Paul definitely declares that Jesus is the head of all things. He is the beginning of the creation of God―”By him was all things created.” He is the head of the Church and the Savior of mankind (and He is my Savior too).

12/12/18 Tom Lowe Lesson: IVC2 - SUCH PEOPLE DO NOT HOLD FAST TO CHRIST AS THE HEAD, AND FROM WHOM TRUE DIVINE NOURISHMENT COMES (Colossians 2:19) Introduction: The focus of verse 19 is “How a Church lives and grows.” In this verse, Paul definitely declares that Jesus is the head of all things. ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 2:19

Denomination: Baptist

Restoration! Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on May 9, 2011

How do we go about "contending for the faith once delivered to the saints"?

Bobby Bowden, (former football coach of Florida State University) said that when he was in college, he played college baseball. During one game he managed to hit a ball right down the right-field line, into the corner. He rounded 1st and looked to the 3rd base coach. He turned at 2nd, was ...read more

Scripture: Jude 1:1-7

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The End Is Near Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Aug 26, 2021

Trust Christ with your life and wait for His coming, watch for His coming, and work until He comes out of a genuine, living faith in Him.

Several years ago, a businessman had to drive to Fort Wayne, Indiana, for work. He rented a big, brand-new, Chrysler 300 and enjoyed the ride so much that he blew past the first tollbooth. He had an I-PASS in his own car, so he didn’t think anything about it. Then he realized that the rental car ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 24:36-51, John 14:2-3, 1 Peter 1:18-19, 2 Timothy 4:2, 1 Peter 4:7, 1 Timothy 3:15, Ephesians 2:19, 1 Thessalonians 5:9, Exodus 22:2-3, 1 Thessalonians 1:10, 1 Thessalonians 5:2-3, Revelation 20:4, Revelation 19:14, 1 Thessalonians 3:13, Zechariah 14:6, 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17, Ephesians 4:16, Matthew 23:27  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Introduction To The Gospel Of John Series

Contributed by Jimmy Davis on Sep 19, 2001

First in Series in a detailed study of the Gospel of John. An Introduction to the Gospel of John, The Prologue is a part of the first "P" in the Gospel of John. The Three P’s found in the Gospel of John.

Note to reader: This is the first lesson in a series of Bible study on the Gospel of John. The Gospel of John Introduction to the Bible study on the Gospel of John: The Gospel of John is a document written for a first century audience. The stories that Jesus told in His ministry were not ...read more

Scripture: John 1:1-18

Denomination: Baptist

The Church Of The New Testament - Part 1 Series

Contributed by Sam Mccormick on Feb 6, 2018

Part 1 - Introduction to a 13-part series on the origin, functioning, authority, and problems of the church of the first century; and the question of whether--or in what ways--we are to be like the earliest Christians.

This 13-part series of classes has been many years in the making. About 25 years ago I began in earnest to examine the features, character and characteristics of the church as it existed in its earliest years. As I sometimes do, I kept my notes all along the way, and this series of classes is to a ...read more

Scripture: 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4, 1 Timothy 4:1-3, Matthew 16:13-19

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Day Before Jesus Came.

Contributed by Robert Laymance on Dec 23, 2000

The Coming of the Lord.

The Day before JESUS came to Earth! ( Just as He came then, He will come AGAIN! ) 1. Some were LOOKING for HIM. a. Simeon..luke 2:25-32...in jerusalem, in church for us...,holy ghost on him, in us now... b. Anna..luke 2:36-38...she was looking while she served Him..., widow for 84yrs... c. ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:1-4

Denomination: Baptist